Dear William, Daniel, Catherine, (and Michael & Baby Girl Y) (and your parents), (and any future descendants and their parents),

Today is May 7 — that date reminds me of the title to the movie “Seven Days of May” — a movie about making peace, not war:

Now, I would like to take this opportunity to discuss a serious topic with you — conflict, negotiation, and peace.

May 2, 2010, at 11 am: Dziadziuś Paweł & Babcia Krysia — a Moment in Time, for the New York Times

The picture above was taken on May 2, 2010, at 11 am, at the request of the New York Times — we were to take a photograph on May 2, 2010, at 11 am, of something meaningful to us at that time, and submit it to the New York Times to be shared with everyone else. When we saw the request announcement in the New York Times several days before May 2, Babcia Krysia and I decided to participate.

On May 2, 2010, Babcia Krysia and I were on one of our road-trips, I think on our way to Philadelphia. As 11 am approached, we were on Route 1, traveling South, near Princeton, New Jersey. We looked around, and we saw the road sign that was PERFECT for US. We set up the camera on a tripod, and then, ten seconds before 11 am, we set the camera on a 10 second delay, as we ran to the sign and had our picture taken. (We did submit out picture, but there was a glitch in the transmission, so it never made it into the pool of photos; nevertheless, we did participate.)

So, why this sign?!

Because … no matter what, ALWAYS, when one of us chooses right, the other chooses left; when one of us chooses black, the other chooses white; when one of us chooses yes, the other chooses no — and then, an extensive negotiation starts. That negotiation might take a second or two, or a day or two, or a week or two, or a month or two, or a year or two, or a lifetime or two.

The resolution of that negotiation may make us both happy; or it may make us both unhappy; or it make take us to an unexpected result.

Yesterday I told you that “Babcia Krysia is just a ‘wet mop’” about celebrating certain holidays (e.g., Cinco De Mayo and St. Patrick’s Day — I will discuss Halloween and Easter photos some other day). The original version of that Post had a different photo where Babcia Krysia’s photo is now. I did not seek prior editorial approval before I posted the Post; and, as soon as I posted it, I received a warning from a very dear family member, who told me that I may be in DEEEEEEP trouble. Oh; Oh!

But nothing happened. I came home in the evening — and still nothing. So I ask: Did you see my post to the kids earlier today?  Reply: You have a very good Daughter-In-Law — she gave you good advice.

I ask: What do you mean? Reply: I do not like that picture of me. … I ask: Why not?  … What if something happens to me — I do not want the kids to associate that image with me.

I feel SO bad!

I felt so BAD! I went upstairs; I changed the picture; and I sent myself to the Dog House.

And so, here we are — now you know about the movie “Seven Days In May” and about A Moment In Time published in The New York Times (WITHOUT our picture, even though we took one); and the back story of yesterday’s Post.

Love,

Dziadziuś Paweł.